Stomach cancer facts
Jamaicans are the first to say they have ‘gas’ when they feel some amount of discomfort in their abdomen, but sometimes the prognosis is more serious.
Dr Pierre-Anthony Leake, consultant general laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), provides some insight into cancer of the stomach.
WHAT IS GASTRIC CANCER?
Gastric cancer or cancer of the stomach is a malignant tumour in that it has the ability to spread to other areas of the body or metastasize. There are a variety of different tumours which can occur in the stomach. However, with gastric cancer, the malignancy tends to involve the cells which line the innermost portion of the stomach which is also called the mucosa. Of note is that there are two types of gastric cancer: the intestinal type and the diffuse type.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Men are considered to have a higher risk and for our population, for both genders, it usually happens in the 70s. The age range though can be as early as the 30s to the 80s, with the most common age group globally being the 60s.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS?
Other than age, there are several risk factors for gastric cancer. These include:
1. Smoking
2. Diet high in salty or smoked foods
3. Diet low in fruits and vegetables
4. Family history of gastric cancer
5. Infection with a stomach bacteria called helicobacter pylori
6. Long-term stomach inflammation
7. Stomach polyps
8. Pernicious anaemia (or Vitamin B12 deficiency)
WHAT ARE THE INITIAL SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS?
Gastric cancer is often diagnosed late and by this time it is usually well advanced. Patients often have symptoms, however, they will ignore them for years.
Early symptoms include:
1. Indigestion
2. Nausea
3. Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, especially after eating.
Late symptoms/signs include:
1. Mass which can be felt in the upper abdomen
2. Severe pain
3. Vomiting
4. Vomiting blood or passing black stool
5. Weight loss
6. Loss of appetite
7. Yellowing of the eyes.
HOW CAN GASTRIC CANCER BE TREATED?
The only possible curative treatment option is surgery. This would involve removing the portion of the stomach which has the cancer. Some patients may require chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy after surgery. Some may need this prior to doing the actual surgery.
IS THERE LIFE AFTER GASTRIC CANCER?
Gastric cancer, when discovered in its early state, is highly curable. However, due to the vague symptoms, the majority of gastric cancer in the western hemisphere is diagnosed at an advanced stage where cure is unlikely. After surgery for gastric cancer, there are changes that can affect quality of life. The main change is inability to tolerate large meals. The diet has to be changed to small, frequent meals.
